Bejo and Limagrain sign licensing deal for vegetable traits

Leading vegetable breeding companies Bejo Zaden and Limagrain (through its Vilmorin subsidiary) have announced a Patent License Agreement to exchange non-exclusive licenses for patented traits in their vegetable varieties.

The firms say that such an exchange will enable them to strengthen their innovative capacities and introduce improved varieties more quickly. Under the agreement, the parties will provide each other the right to use plant material that falls under the scope of several of their patents for both breeding and commercial purposes in vegetables, allowing both companies to develop new and improved vegetable varieties by making use of each other’s innovations.

John-Pieter Schipper, Chief Executive Officer of Bejo, commented, “This agreement is in continuity of other agreements signed by Bejo since the launch of the International Licensing Platform for Vegetables. We strongly believe that access to genetics will contribute to long-term preservation of biodiversity and food security. At the same time this agreement strengthens the innovative capacity of both companies, which will ultimately benefit the market.”

Arnaud Messager, Scientific Director for Limagrain Vegetable Seeds added, “This agreement will allow both companies to use their respective innovations to bring new improved varieties to the market, which will benefit both growers and consumers.”